LAHORE: Farmers in Lahore have vowed to launch a province-wide movement against the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) for robbing them of their agricultural lands and depriving the residents of fresh air and vegetables.
On International Peasants’ Day, farmers gathered to protest the RUDA’s plan to develop a multi-kilometer-long belt along the river Ravi as an urban center, which they believe will destroy the city and benefit the land mafia.
Farmers affected by the land grabbing announced they would lay their lives, but not leave their lands, the protestors stated.
As per the details, the Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, a network of 28 farmer and peasant organizations, organized the protest gathering.
The leaders of the movement and hundreds of farmers participated in the public meeting. It was announced that the movement would be spread throughout Punjab through organized efforts.
The farmers said that their lands provide oxygen to Lahore and fulfill its food needs and that RUDA’s actions will not only affect the farmers but also cause a huge environmental disaster for Lahore.
Besides, slogans were also raised to demand food and land sovereignty for the farmers.
